CWP Energy is asking for an independent review of restrictions around the Eskdalemuir Seismic Array after the refusal of its 60-turbine Scoop Hill wind farm near Moffat. The developer says the proposed expansion of the exclusion zone and new impact metrics rely on limited, outdated data and could hinder many projects. Governments say a consultation closed on 5 August and responses will be reviewed to balance array safeguarding with onshore wind deployment.
Wind Firm Demands Independent Review Of Eskdalemuir Seismic Exclusion Zone
Wind farm firm seeks seismic site restrictions review
CWP Energy has called for an independent reassessment of restrictions around the Eskdalemuir Seismic Array after planners refused its 60-turbine Scoop Hill wind farm near Moffat. The developer argues the exclusion zone proposals are based on limited and out-of-date data and could block large numbers of projects across southern Scotland and northern England.
Proposed Changes And Why They Matter
The recent consultation considered extending the formal exclusion zone around the array from 10km to 15km and introducing a new metric to assess potential interference from developments up to 50km away. Officials say the aim is to better balance safeguarding the array with allowing increased onshore wind deployment in the broader area.
CWP's Objections
CWP says the technical evidence underlying the proposed restrictions is more than 20 years old and was derived from a small dataset. The company warns that relying on those figures risks preventing many wind projects, and its managing director, Rod Wood, has argued an evidence-led approach could unlock around £60bn of investment, create about 8,500 jobs and deliver roughly 6GW of clean power in the region.
Protecting Eskdalemuir and unlocking Scotland's wind potential are not competing objectives, said Rod Wood. 'We can do both, and we have shown how.'
Government Response And Next Steps
The Scottish Government described safeguarding the array as a 'shared priority' with the UK Government and said the consultation— which closed on 5 August—gave experts, communities and industry an opportunity to raise technical concerns. It added that responses will help ensure the final approach is robust and aligned with the need to protect this nationally important asset.
The UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said it is collating feedback following years of collaboration between the Ministry of Defence and the onshore wind industry, and expects to publish a response setting out how to balance homegrown power, jobs and national security.
Why Eskdalemuir Matters
Eskdalemuir, established in 1962 in the Southern Uplands, is a long-running seismic monitoring station used to detect seismic signals, including those from nuclear tests. Keeping the array continuously operational helps the UK meet international obligations under the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).
What Happens Next: Officials will review consultation responses and decide whether to adopt revised exclusion parameters or updated impact metrics. CWP is pursuing an appeal against the planning refusal for Scoop Hill and has requested an independent technical review of the exclusion-zone evidence.
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